A number international personalities have lauded His Majesty King Abdullah's initiative to send relief aid and technical equipment from the Royal Engineering Corps to Lebanon to alleviate the Lebanese suffering and re-open Beirut Airport.

In statements to the Jordan News Agency, Petra, the officials stressed that assistance to the Lebanese was critical to helping them cope with circumstances in their country, noting that Jordan was amongst the first countries which extended relief aid to Lebanon.

Chairman of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Committee and Head of Jordan Red Crescent Society (JRCS) Muhammad Al Hadid, said King Abdullah, who is the JRCS honorary president, was the first to mobilize an airlift of aid from Amman and Beirut. He also noted Jordan's active role in providing emergency medical assistance through Jordanian field hospitals in Iraq, Palestine and Lebanon. He expressed thanks for the Royal Engineering Corps' role in reopening Beirut Airport.

President of the European Commission delegation in Amman Ambassador Robert van der Meulen said Europe valued Jordan's assistance which, he said, will contributes to alleviating the suffering of Lebanese people.

Regional Vice President of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Majdi Sabri said the Jordanian initiative reflects Jordan's keenness to support the Lebanese people now facing aggression. The Jordanian initiative is a regional example, he said.

Secretary General of the Arab Air Carrier Organization (AACO) Abdel Wahhab Toffaha also said Jordan's effort was important to support the Lebanese in a time of crisis.

United Nations Spokesperson Khaled Mansour said the King's effort had helped reopen Beirut Airport to receive much needed relief and described the Jordanian initiative as an important measure.

Media official at the International Committee of the Red Cross Rabab Rifai said King Abdullah's effort to see the Beirut Airport airport reopened in order to accept urgent relief. She also expressed hope that other countries would follow Jordan's lead.